I know you shouln't believe everything you read, so you need to read between the lines. Apparently a few players complained to RFM that training was excessively hard and when RFM aired the concerns, well you can take it from there and fill in the missing blanks. As far as the Sutton case, I read that Ciraldo has this "you beaut, stick it up your arse and take it anywhere" defence system happening. Sutton apparently conceded that he just can't get his head around it as it's too alien to what he's used to. So take it as you will, personally I don't bother with gossip or why something has happened, I just know that RFM and Sutton have been advised they are free to negotiate at other clubs.

Apparently Thompson and Flanno as well
told to look somewhere else … 
South’s forward Taaffe is coming to the club .. 

We do need new players, and we need players that can play the coaches defensive system.

Most teams defend in a similar way.

Flanno is a better 9 than 7,but certainly not a top 9, at this stage but he might improve.

When Taaffe carved us up I thought that he might be a good signing for us. Never going to get much of a shot behind Latrell. If he comes I hope that he gets a chance at fullback.

Good that Gus and CC have a plan and are sticking to it.

It would be better if they are man enough to vary the plan if it's not working and doesnt look like improving.

Give it one more season, we  need to see if players can step up to the way the coach wants them to train and play.

Perhaps our training is too intense, if we get a pike of injuries at training next season, we might need to back off.

My hunch is that this season will help players get through next season.

If we can add Kinight, Fox, Kicks, Presto, Sexy and Burns to the side that played Panthers, Marhoney and Averillo return to their right positions then that is the best side we have fielded for sometime, perhaps our strongest side all season.

Against Panthers our main problems were bad reads and bad decisions in defence. Too little effort or too much effort, defending as individuals rather than working together.

The attack looked good even when the service from Flanno was a cog or 2 down from Reed.

All season the coach has been telling players how they need to defend. If our attack aims up and our middles are competitive then that probably takes some pressure off the defence.

Willy Mason 100% understands and supports our defensive system, Mase probably isn't an 150 IQ genius, but who knows, perhaps he is ;)

No, you're wrong. CC has a particular coaching style and the players have to buy into that style.
If schools had a subject that a lot of kids were failing, I'm sure they would tell the kids to study harder, not adjust the curriculum for and easier pass.

You are kidding, right?  

You need to consider both. Be silly not to.

Remember, guys like RFM have been here a while. Not saying I agree 100% with his and Sutton's stance but for them to take the unprecedented step to voice it like this (knowing full well the repercussions) suggests they felt strongly about it. It would be even more interesting if other players agreed but just didn't have the courage to also speak up.

The training injuries we've suffered has me thinking it's not all just smoke....

No, not saying change it because of 2 players.
I'm saying change coz it's not working! 
Not with this crop of players.

The players were here before the coach. You can't just change the structures overnight. You can try, but if it's failing, you have to adjust.

We don't have the luxury of swapping our team with a whole new one and certainly not the Penrith one. 

We started the season OK but it's clear our players are fatigued and cannot follow this defensive pattern he is getting them to play (whatever that is). Average of 44 points conceded in the last 6 weeks suggests it's not the time to do it and a smart coach would adjust. 

We know we aren't a top 8 team.
I just hope the coach knows this too.

If the successful teams are training and defending at a high intensity, that is the standard we should aim for.

Leaking points has multiple causes, not sticking to the system is one, lacking size and experience is another, lacking fitness or carrying injuries is another, confidence and communication are others.

We had Perham at fullback to try to improve the communication in defence, Averillo has now realised that he needs to speak up and is confident enough to do that.

Communication, teamwork and confidence in defence are the areas we need to improve, there is only so much coaching can do, players need to do their job, remain switched on and composed and work with their team mates.

Having something to defend and confidence in our ability to score points will help. The team CC selects this week should be our best attacking side for a long time.

TPJ also needs to aim up an realise his potential, the comments about doing a job in defence, remaining switched on and composed apply to him. Go for the big hit at the opponent's end of the field at the right time, force the offload in the opponent's half at the right time.

In attack the whole team, but particularly TPJ shouldn't be forcing low percentage plays at our end, just remain composed and do their job.

If there was any indication that the players are sticking to the system, I would be more inclined to criticise the system.

TKO a good signing if true…

Tino?

I agree, his form did drop off towards the end of his NRL career.

But if he is injury free and refreshed he has something to offer.

While props are important the job is simple, sometimes a cheaper option can do the job.

I would only give TKO a short contract, with an option in our favour.

But the point is it does work with the right team. To change a system, that has seen such great success, because it’s currently not working, in its first season of implementing it on a new group is a tad premature. Maybe we give it another season or two before throwing the baby out with the bath water. 

Yes. I’m happy with it too. He was a big reason why the Chooks were such a good defensive outfit. 

It’s a Melbourne type signing. Liam Knight the same. As much as I would love us to sign Tino or Haas we are better off spending less on props. Maybe signing Luai is the goal. 

Easing that system in is what CC is tasked with doing. No one is questioning the effectiveness of the system itself. But it needs the right players to implement and you need to build towards it.

Some of our guys may never get it. They are the ones we may need to cull over the next couple of years. But others that may struggling only because it relies on a team effort.

For years I've seen our tacklers not roll off properly in tackles to get to marker. I'm sure that's one of the issues. HD touched on the others in his post below.

This is like a Pantene hair commercial....
It won't happen overnight, but it will happen

I'm very uncomfortable with the thought of Luai or Haas in our colours.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate their abilities as footy players, but they piss me off so much as humans that I might have to go on a hiatus if they came here....

I would not worry I doubt that Luai and Haas will come here. They probably both end up signing for their existing clubs for more money.

I always thought that Tino was an outside chance and that he would suit our club.

But the guys we are signing are good enough and we have some good young players.

I'm now hearing Jaeman Salmon from the Pennies is coming next year......WTF.

Stop listening or reading crappy rumours or shot touted by hack grub presstitute germoulists…

When was the last time any of these rumours turned out to be in the money…

The ‘craziest’ of conspiracy theorists have got more right in the past half a decade than all of the ‘sources’ combined…

They ain’t going nowhere but the Rorters if anywhere…

Haas has a history of getting what he wants from the Broncs,,.

If memory serves me correct the Luai thing is about a third party agreement/ manger thing… I’m sure the Panthers will assist find an ‘at arms length’ substitute…

Oh no not the weak gutted dog!

He is just an average NRL utility.

I doubt that we would sign him, but he can fill in in a number of positions.

KO is a more talented utility, as is Taaffe if he signs, we have better options in the forwards and backs.

Listening to the 6 tackles podcast Gus said 2 more players close to signed for next season.

My guess Taaffe and TKO.

Gus denied that any player had been told that they could look for a contract elsewhere.

Backing up Dman's point 99.9% of the rumours and media speculation are total BS.

The 0.1% that is right is often logical and unspectacular.

Preston was our best signing for 2023 and no one had even heard of him before he signed.

What would Gus know???… Gus is obviously wrong…
Bonnets Hooper has proclaimed Taafe and Salmon have signed!!!…
And Rothfilth has informed us RFM is gone…

Grooaaannnn… dropped sitter…
Thank you Davey, you’ve been amazing… but it’s time to go out in top…

BazBall = edge through slips is worth 4.

Next session all important, we don't need to rush a declaration, aim to score as many as possible and keep the Poms in the field for as long as possible.